Snap action slide switch

ABSTRACT

A slide switch includes a sliding contact carrier formed with a central recess for accommodating one end of an overcentering spring element. In one form of the invention, this recess faces away from the contacts and the other end of the spring element is seated in a recess formed in the underside of a rocker arm. In another aspect of the invention, the spring recess faces the fixed contacts and the other end of the spring element is seated in the terminal board containing the fixed contacts.

United States Patent 1191 Arthur et al. 1

1451 June 5, 1973 v [54] SNAP ACTION SLIDE SWITCH [75] Inventors: Ronald H. Arthur, Fort Lauderdale; Melvin F; Eickhorst, Hollywood; Earl A. Hansen; Albert M. Pichitino, both of Fort Lauderdale, all of Fla. I73] Assignee: UID Electronics Co'rp., Hollywood, 1 Fla, {221 Filed; Feb..'24, 19 72 v I 121 Appl. No. 228,889

{5211 US. Cl ..200/76, 200/16 D, 200/67 A,

200/67 PK [51] Int. Cl. ..H01h 15/18 [58] Field of Search ..200/67 R, 67 A, 76, 200/l54,16R,-l6D,67 PK [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,720 9/l 95 l' Dissinger ..200/76 [/1963 Gluck, ..200/16 1) 2,059,926 ll/l936 Barnitz ..200 154 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 289,395 1/1'929 Great Britain ..200/76 545,203 5/1942 Great Britain ..200/154 Primary ExaminerDavi d Smith, Jr'.

Att0rn eyCharles Hielten' [57] ABSTRACT A slide switch includes a sliding contact carrier formed with a central recess for accommodating one end of an overcentering spring element. In one form of the invention, this recess faces away from the contacts and the other end of the spring element is seated in a recess formed in the underside of a rocker arm. In

- another aspect of the invention, the spring recess faces the fixed contacts and the other end of the spring element is seated in the terminal board containing the fixed contacts.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 SNAP ACTION SLIDE SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to snap action slide switches and more particularly concerns a novel snap action slide switch that reliably provides snap action with negligible additional expense while placing relatively little strain on the spring element and permitting operation of the switch even if the spring element breaks and the snap action is thereby lost.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a snap action switch.

It is another object of this invention to provide a snap action switch in a manner that represents a relatively inexpensive modification of a conventional slide switch and the addition of but one inexpensive element.

. It is a further object of the invention to achieve one or more of the preceding objects which a rocker switch.

It is still a further object of the invention to achieve one or more of the preceding objects with a slide switch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I According to the invention, there are a number of spaced contacts defining a path, asliding contact, contact carrying means for accommodating the sliding contact and means for supporting the contact carrying means and the sliding contact means in relatively movable relationship to the number of spaced contacts in a direction along the path to selectively interconnect at least two adjacent ones of the spaced contacts. The contact carrying means is formed with a recess for accommodating one end of an overcentering spring element.

In one form of the invention the recess faces the path defined by the fixed contacts. One end of the spring element is seated in the recess and the other end is seated in the surface including fixed contacts. In another as- .pect of the invention the spring recess in the contact carrying means faces away from the path defined by the fixed contacts. Actuating means, such as a rocker arm, is formed with a spring recess facing the contact carrying means recess for accommodating the other end of the spring-like element.

Numerous other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING emplary embodiment of a snap switch;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through a snap action slide switch according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the slide handle of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

. "DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT action rocker of toggle ples of the present invention. Three fixed contacts 11,

12 and 13 are seated in an insulating terminal board 14. Sliding contact carrier 15 includes a depending recess 16 for accommodating sliding contact l7,and an upstanding protrusion 21 for engagement with depending fingers 22 and 23 of rocker arm 24. Protrusion 21 is formed with a recess 24' for accommodating a spring element, such as flat spring 25. The lower central portion of rocker arm 24 includes a notch 26 for accommodating the upper end of flat spring 25.

Metallic shell 27 is formed with a pivot bracket 28 that accommodates rod 31 passing through rocker arm 24 about which the latter pivots during operation. Ter- FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an exminal panel 14 is fastened to shell 27 in the manner describedin the aforesaid patent by bending ears toward each other and over the bottom of the panel.

Having described the physical arrangement of the invention, its mode of operation will be described. The depending fingers 22 and 23 on rocker arm 24 push against protrusion 21 to transfer sliding contact carrier 15 and sliding contact 17 from interconnecting center fixedcontact 12 with one of end contacts 11 and 13 to the other. As the rocker knob is rotated, flat spring 25 functions as an overcentering means causing the contactcarrier 15 to snap to the limit of its travel in either direction, providing positive end positioning with snap action. The velocity of the contact carrier at the end of ity of the rocker knob.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown another embodiment of the invention in which slide switch typically of the type described in the aforesaid Gluck patentis modified to provide snap action according to the invention. In this embodiment slide carrier 15' is formed with a downwardly opening recess 24", and panel 14' is formed with a recess 26 foraccommodating the lower end'of flat spring 25'. Protrusion 21 is actuated directly to moveslide carrier 15' and sliding contact 17' from one position to the other. Overcentering spring 25 snaps slide carrier 15' over center and provides positive positioning and snap action.

A feature of the invention is that the slide carrier provides a moving force upon the sliding contact so that the spring itself provides primarily the snap action and its travel is relatively independent of the angular velocpositive positioning with the external forces applied to the slide carrier predominantly providing switching action. Thus, wear on the spring is relatively light. Should the spring break, the switch could still be actuated and function without snap action.

An especially important advantage of the invention is the ease and slight expense involved in providing sn'ap action. Existing structures need only be formed with the recesses described at virtually no additional cost, and the spring element added. While the flat spring is illustrated, it is evident that numerous other types of spring elements may be employed, for example, wound wire extension or compression springs, S or C springs, or other types of springs that may function to cause overcentering action equivalent to that described. A

It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications of and departures from-the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the'invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novelcombination of features present in or possessed by the apparatus and 3 techniques herein described and limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A snap action switch comprising,

a plurality of spaced contacts defining a path,

a sliding contact,

contact carrying means for accommodating said sliding contact,

actuating means;

means for supporting the assembly comprising said contact carrying means and said sliding contact in relatively movable relationship to said plurality of spaced contacts in a direction along said path to selectively interconnect at least two adjacent ones of said plurality of spaced contacts,

a spring element consisting of a resilient strip,

said contact carrying means being formed with a recess for accommodating said spring element with one end of the spring element seated therein,

and means for supporting the other end of said spring element extending generally perpendicular to said path for providing snap action as said assembly and said path relatively move while providing positive positioning when said assembly and said path are relatively stationary,

said spring means being for storing energy in response to relative movement between said actuating means and said path,

said actuating means also including means for directly transmitting a force from said actuating means to said contact carrying means for moving said sliding contact whereby upon movement of said contact carrying means relative to said path the energy stored in said spring means is released to aid the latter movement and provide snap action. i 2. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of spaced contacts are seated in a terminal board formed with a second, recess for accommodating said other end of'said spring element,.

said contact carrying means recessopening toward and facing said path. 3. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuating means is formed'with a second recess opposing said contact carrying means recess,

said spring element other end being seated in said second recess.

4. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 2 wherein said terminal board suppo'rts at least a row of said spaced contacts with said second recess beside said row between the end contacts in said row for accommodating the other end of said spring element,

and said contact carrying means is formed with a handle portion projecting away from said terminal board having said first-mentioned recess therein.

5. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 3 wherein the body of said contact carrying means separates its recess and said actuating means from said spaced contacts.

6. A snap action switch in accordance with-claim 5 wherein said actuating means is a rocker and further comprising,

means for supporting said rocker for rocking movement in engagement with said contact carrying means with said spring element ends in a plane adjacent'tov aparallel plane including the pivotal axis of said rocker. 

1. A snap action switch comprising, a plurality of spaced contacts defining a path, a sliding contact, contact carrYing means for accommodating said sliding contact, actuating means, means for supporting the assembly comprising said contact carrying means and said sliding contact in relatively movable relationship to said plurality of spaced contacts in a direction along said path to selectively interconnect at least two adjacent ones of said plurality of spaced contacts, a spring element consisting of a resilient strip, said contact carrying means being formed with a recess for accommodating said spring element with one end of the spring element seated therein, and means for supporting the other end of said spring element extending generally perpendicular to said path for providing snap action as said assembly and said path relatively move while providing positive positioning when said assembly and said path are relatively stationary, said spring means being for storing energy in response to relative movement between said actuating means and said path, said actuating means also including means for directly transmitting a force from said actuating means to said contact carrying means for moving said sliding contact whereby upon movement of said contact carrying means relative to said path the energy stored in said spring means is released to aid the latter movement and provide snap action.
 2. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of spaced contacts are seated in a terminal board formed with a second recess for accommodating said other end of said spring element, said contact carrying means recess opening toward and facing said path.
 3. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said actuating means is formed with a second recess opposing said contact carrying means recess, said spring element other end being seated in said second recess.
 4. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 2 wherein said terminal board supports at least a row of said spaced contacts with said second recess beside said row between the end contacts in said row for accommodating the other end of said spring element, and said contact carrying means is formed with a handle portion projecting away from said terminal board having said first-mentioned recess therein.
 5. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 3 wherein the body of said contact carrying means separates its recess and said actuating means from said spaced contacts.
 6. A snap action switch in accordance with claim 5 wherein said actuating means is a rocker and further comprising, means for supporting said rocker for rocking movement in engagement with said contact carrying means with said spring element ends in a plane adjacent to a parallel plane including the pivotal axis of said rocker. 